#hallah

[wally-b-feed]

Anthony Fineran (B 1981), 'Zadah Hallah', 2024

[salderi]

Fattah Hallah Abdel
1970
Symbolist painter

[deitymuse]

art by Fattah Hallah ABDEL

[loserfae]

[dearreader]

starting season 7 of 911 and the fact that angela basset talked about another actress being nominated for a best supporting actress oscar and not winning feels just a little to on the nose

[autistic-katara]

dont ask me why but W should be pronounced “Wee” not “Double You”

[circusgoth-dotcom]

ahh i didn't make it to christmas without hearing "all i want for christmas is you" in public

[bobemajses]

Hallah cover, Central Europe, 19th century

[imasradiantasthesun]

District 12 Family Trees

Here are some family trees I made for my thg fic holding bright! I include a good amount of worldbuilding and fleshing out of some side characters (aka Bristel, Thom, Leevy, and Delly) in it, so I thought hey might as well draw some trees to help clarify my thinking. First, some notes on the structure:

The numbers in brackets are the characters' ages at the time of the Reaping for the 74th Hunger Games. I didn't feel like assigning specific birthdays for everyone, hence just the ages lol. Some characters' ages differ from canon in my fic: Katniss, Peeta, Delly, and Madge are all 18, Prim is 13, and Rory is 12

My use of "clan" here is super arbitrary, it doesn't actually mean anything lol

Names in quotation marks are nicknames/what they go by

Plenty of people in the older generations are dead, again I just didn't feel like specifying it unless it's relevant

Some notes on my decision-making in general:

I accidentally made Katniss and Peeta's maternal grandmothers have the same maiden names please ignore that lmao they are NOT related closely At All, it's a normal amount of distance lol

Ashwin is supposed to be older than Jubilee, not younger!! and Carson is supposed to be younger than River and Rylee (who are twins)!!!

Some of the names chosen for some Seam characters are Indian names, because I headcanon that people from the Seam can be a mix of a ton of different stuff, including South Asian

The idea that Mrs Everdeen's first name is Alyssum (Alys for short) comes from Mejhiren's fic When the Moon Fell in Love with the Sun

I continued the bread theme for Mellark names lol. Mr Mellark's first name is Nick, from pumpernickel. I also once read a fic where Peeta is of Jewish descent, which I really liked, so some of the breads are of Jewish origin: Hal is from challah (which can also be written as hallah), and Bab is from babka

In Holding Bright (which is an au, hence the variety of small changes I have made to canon lol) the Reaping takes place on June 1st (instead of the canonical July 4th), and it's also canon that the Games start exactly one week after the Reaping, so therefore in HB they always start on June 8th. Therefore, the teenaged deaths set after June 1st -- Glory Salsbury, Maysilee Donner, and Ridge Littlefield -- were all in the Games.

As explained in chapter 9 of Holding Bright, Ezra and Petunia Rainwater started a tradition of giving their kids long ass floral names lol. Their first child was relatively spared, with the name Foxglove, though he still went by Fox; their second child, Devil-in-a-Bush (or just Dev) fell in love with a woman who also just so happened to have a super long floral name, Queen Anne's Lace (though she went by Lace). All of Fox's descendants were spared from this naming tradition, to the point where his daughter, Hazelle, gave all of her children only four-letter names. Meanwhile, Dev's descendants got the longest names ever lmao: Chrysanthemum had five children: Morning Glory, Lily-of-the-Valley (aka Leevy), Stairway to Heaven, May Night Salvia, and Forget-Me-Not.

I have a headcanon that in Town they tend to give their children middle names, while in the Seam they don't (why? I don't know <3). In Town middle names came into use because they wanted to honor loved ones who have passed away, but because of the Games and all that it's considered bad luck to give your child the same first name as a deceased loved one

However, because I'm lazy I only wrote out the middle names for the youngest generation because I didn't want to come up with middle names for every single Merchant character lol

Katniss and Prim have middle names because their mother is from Town. Madge's middle name comes from Maysilee, just like Katniss's

I'm going with the popular headcanon that Katniss is indirectly related to Lucy Gray through Maude Ivory. Katniss's father's name follows the same conventions as those of the Covey (name from a ballad + a color). I had originally planned for people to only really know Mr Everdeen as Jet, hence why the family tree says Gordon Jet "Jet" Everdeen, but I have decided against that!! he went by Gordon Jet!!!

The first part of Mr Everdeen's name comes from the Scottish ballad Lord Saltoun and Auchanachie, in which the protagonist, Jeannie, is in love with a poor man named Auchanachie Gordon. However, despite Jeannie's resistance, she is married off by her parents to the wealthy Lord Salton/Saltoun; Jeannie then dies of a broken heart before Auchanachie Gordon returns and also dies. I thought Gordon is a fitting name, considering that Mrs Everdeen left her life in Town, where the wealthier Mr Mellark was in love with her, to marry the poorer Mr Everdeen

The second part of Mr Everdeen's name, Jet, comes from the color jet black; jet is also a type of coal

Some allusions to another canon character + my minor OCs:

Rooba is the name of the butcher in canon, so here she is Delly's aunt

Madge's maternal grandmother, Magnolia, has the maiden name Blackwell. She is distantly related to Maggie Blackwell, the carpenter's daughter who went missing about a decade ago

Thom’s maternal grandmother, Nomi Goodwin, was originally from Town

Bristel's mother, Juniper, passed away from complications at childbirth

Gale's maternal grandmother, Anika, has the maiden name Reeves. Gale is second cousins with Sparrow Reeves, the female tribute from 12 in the 68th Games who made a lasting impact on her district due to the brutality of her death

River & Rylee Ludlow are the 17-year-old twins who tend to pick on Madge a bit. No wonder they're related to Mrs Mellark...

Mrs Mellark's brother, Noah, died in the Games. Her other brother, Elijah, took over the apothecary shop from the Stewards after Alys ran away to be with Gordon Jet

Ivy Fairweather is the Undersees' housekeeper, usually referred to in HB as Mrs Fairweather. She and her husband probably have a ton of kids, but I just didn't feel like writing them all out lol. Ivy's maiden name is Claymore, which is also the last name of another OC, Hetty Claymore, who mysteriously died; Ivy is Hetty's like second cousin whatever-times-removed or something (aka practically a distant aunt)

[haggishlyhagging]

The religious historian and folklorist Chava Weissler, who has studied the extensive Yiddish devotional literature written for and by women, has uncovered evidence of the hidden voices of women in a variety of expressions. In particular, she found in 17th- and 18th-century collections of tkhines—prayers usually recited by women in the home evidence of efforts at upgrading women's religious significance. In a commandment for women's observance, "taking hallah," separating portions of the bread dough, the prayer compares the acting out of this ritual to the service performed by the high priest which caused sins to be forgiven. The woman prays: ". . . so also may my sins be forgiven with this. May this mizvah [good deed] of the hallah [making of the holiday bread] be accounted as if I had given the tithe." Thus she associates herself with the ancient biblical tradition of tithes and with the high priest. In the tkhine for candle lighting in the same collection the woman prays that her "'mizvah' of the candle lights be accepted like the mizvah of the high priests who kindled the lights in the dear Temple."

In their domestic prayers which flowed from the mundane activities of wives and mothers, Jewish women expressed their connectedness with the sacred and ancient traditions, which many of them came to know only by oral transmission. In a number of the prayers to be recited during the domestic ritual of preparing the candles for Yom Kippur, the women appealed not only to the patriarchs, but also to the matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel. They did so with an important difference: the patriarchs were mentioned formulaically, as passive recipients of God's aid, while the matriarchs were described as acting to save their children and therefore were appealed to as advocates. The prayers affirmed and celebrated the women's power as mothers to save the people of Israel.

-Gerda Lerner, The Creation of Feminist Consciousness

[wally-b-feed]

Anthony Fineran (B 1981), 'Hallah Onion', 2024

[snobunny03]

2006 - Hallah Fattah Abdel - Nefertari’s Love

[wendynerdwrites]

A passage from the upcoming Dalish Ambition chapter. I am experimenting with portraying the ball through the eyes of Gaspard, Briala, Celene, and Florianne. This is a passage from my Gaspard POV. Enjoy!

When he sees her, he almost leaps for joy. 

The night thus far has been delightful. His mercenaries are in position. His servants are distributing the threats. There’s plenty of brandy. And he’s already overheard multiple complaints from the highborn guests about not being able to tour the main gardens or royal wing. They have his catapults to thank for that. 

This ball may be called grand, but with so much of the castle partially demolished - and Celene’s efforts to hide said damage - the event is more cramped than the usual Grand Winter Palace events. Despite all the courtiers being here, they’re all currently gathered around the Emerald Crown and balconies. Most of these people hate each other, and his cousin and sister have brought them closer than ever.

Mischief has already started. He saw one young bard slip an expensive-looking ring off one lady’s finger and toss it in one of the side fountains. The girl is now frantic and circling a section of the garden in a panic.

The nobles of Orlais love to make each other miserable. It’s one of the only things Gaspard likes about them.

Well, he also likes to hear them shut their mouths for once. And as the Inquisitor makes her way towards him, people get quiet. Many hands and fans are raised to mouths in shock. A few that do speak don’t stop themselves from uttering derogatory remarks.

Yes, come to me, Pretty Bunny. I’m the only one here who won’t call you knife-ear out loud.

Well, Celene won't. But it's unlikely the Empress will say much to The Inquisitor at all beyond the basic pleasantries. His cousin likes her lofty heights and gilded pretentions. And she would not like to be seen as trying to curry favor directly with Gaspard's guest.

The Inquisitor is delivered to him not encased in shining armor, wrapped in a dull uniform, or stuffed into an absurd court dress like he’d dreaded. It appears the tip his people got was right. Green and nature themed. The green of his collar is a similar shade to the dominant one of her gown. Though her dress changes color as she moves. There are hints of blue flashing in the garden moonlight. They don’t match just right, but they look similar enough.

Last time he’d seen her, she’d worn some ridiculous Dalish mage armor. He’d seen some of those before: all high chainmail collars, thick sashes, leather vest, wrapped legs and petal-skirts. It appears, however, that not all Dalish costumes are so unsightly. Her gown is not quite like anything he’s seen before, but the artistic merits of the embroidery and the fabric cannot be denied.

Best of all, she actually looks like a woman. The skirts actually hang rather than hold, so one can make out her stride. Her arms are bare, framed by strips of shining, semi-sheer fabric. The front of her bodice is a scene of a hallah standing in a tree-lined stream. The tree canopy makes up the straps of her gown and much of her neckline, the leaves beaded and textured so it seems like the forest itself is bursting out of her chest… along with her breasts. Indeed, her bosom almost looks like giant fruit growing from the trees.

Finally, a woman who is willing to not look like a bloody chess piece off of the battlefield. She even has hair, in defiance of the current fashion. And it hangs down her back, silken flowers growing from it. With the halla mask he gave her, she is unbelievably elven. But her jewelry is every bit as expensive as any lady’s here.

Everyone watches her, and Gaspard can tell it’s not just shock and horror at an elven savage in their noble midst. There’s hunger in their gazes. He wouldn’t be surprised if a number of his fellow aristocrats start buying dresses with leaf detailing for their favorite elven maids soon.

The best part is, none of it violates the courtly dress code. Everything to the length of the hem is technically regulation. It’s just… not the fashion.

It’s better. It’s a reminder of what actual flesh-and-blood beauty looks like.

And it’s hanging from his arm tonight.

Good. He’s a widower. If he plays his cards right, Celene will not be the only lady here tonight feeling threatened. If he ends this night as emperor, that’s advantageous for him.

Amidst porcelain masks hiding painted faces, stiff, enormous hoop skirts and shaved heads, here is a reminder of the beauties the Maker is capable of, more lovely than any courtly costume currently present. All these idiots spent months and who knows how much gold to be the height of fashion for this stupid ball, and here is the Dalish lady, unique and truly pretty.

Whispers would fly. She may be an elf, but she is the Herald of Andraste. And the fine lords and ladies here know that he has no love for them. If he plays this right…

“Well, it would be just like Gaspard to make an elf his Empress, just to rub our faces in it!”

“What if her holiness does make her worthy? We’d have to bow to an elf!"

They’d scramble to line up and curry favors with him, convince him that their daughters and sisters would be preferable to making them bow to an elven empress.

The smarter of them will know that would not happen. Ever. But they might guess he’d make the Herald his mistress. That’s a space almost as coveted and could be doable, potentially. Depending on how the war goes and how well he plays things. After the crown itself, this Lady Inquisitor Lavellan might be his greatest trophy.

He definitely intends on treating her as his special treasure tonight. He has no intention of letting her get leverage over him, but she doesn’t need to know that. If he’s able to fool her, even better. She makes for a fine trophy.

“It is a great pleasure to see you once again, Inquisitor Lavellan!” He says grandly, opening his arms as if to embrace her. But when she draws close and curtseys - perfectly, he notices, that Ambassador has done her job. - he kisses her hand like he would any other lady. “I assume you already know that you are the most beautiful creature here.”

There’s a slight twitch at the corner of her smile, but she blushes appropriately. “You are too kind, Your Imperial Highness.”

He gestures for her to lean closer to him with a conspiratorial nod of his head. His voice turns into a loud whisper. “The rumors coming out of the Western Approach say you battled an army of demons. I’m afraid you face far more unpleasant foes tonight. Luckily, you have the right ally. I intend for us to accomplish much tonight, Your Worship. And more.”

“Focus on one’s goals and honest ambition are certainly admirable traits, Your Grace. I look forward to seeing all the wonders the great players of Orlais have in store for me. I just hope I can appreciate them all properly.”

Interesting. He’s not sure how to read that. The statement is quite vague. Clearly by intention. “You may prove the greatest wonder of them all tonight. I only hope I do not stop people from seeing it. My lady, are you prepared to shock the court by walking into the Grand Ball with a hateful usurper? They will be telling stories of this into the next age!”

Everyone’s expecting him. But he, and, he assumes, the Inquisition’s spymistress, kept the Inquisitor’s attendance as quiet as possible. He is the one who will shock the court by walking into his cousin’s court with a knife-eared savage.

Even if she is supposedly holy and prettier than any other guest, it will send a clear message of what he thinks of his cousin’s court and its pretensions. No matter what people call her, she is a rabbit in a fancy dress. That the current climate is such that everyone will be obligated to show her the same honor as any guest makes it funnier.

Yes, you pretentious, masked, cake-gobbling fuckwits, I fired on your precious Winter Palace and will now parade this heathen rabbit and her tits through its gilded wreckage. Maybe later I’ll set her to hopping on my cock in Celene’s bed.

[professionalshapeshifter]

Fattah Hallah

[abanbas-a]

when theyre killing the hallah in the blood of arlathan and bellara says " Rook, can we go? Please." i really so almost cry bc u can hear the genuine hurt and discomfort...all these vas are so talented

[milfbro]

really fucking hard to study the contemporary history of Syria with that "boing boing boing boing Souryia! Boing boing boing boing Hala Hallah!' playing on loop in my head like it's driving me insane